Alright so, this, and the previous really short chapter deserve an explanation. I didn't know what to write to get to this point, to this chapter. They run into a monster? Something like that. I just wanted to get to this damn scene.
Dean let out a groan, his head spinning as he did his best to open his eyes. Something in his hand was wet, the assumption that it was blood was made quickly, but lost once it moved. He heard a whine, familiar and soothing. It was a tongue licking the palm of his hand, and a snout pushing it up.
"Thanks, bud." Dean mumbled as he moved his hand to run it over her head. He couldn't even do so much as sit up. The root of a tree was doing its best to stab him in the back, but he didn't care. He just wanted to lie there, sleep, snow falling around him.
That was until he heard a low growl, he panicked as he felt a force push into his chest. His chest was relieved quickly however, when the dog pulled at his jacket, forcing his upper body off the ground. Dean shivered, the cold and loss of blood had taken all his strength.
"Listen, buddy. You gotta find Sam, not drag me to him." Dean stuttered in the cold. He huffed when he was let go off, his body hitting the ground roughly, once more. Everything was a deep shade of blue, the faint moonlight reflecting off everything covered by snow.
Dean saw from the corner of his eyes as the dog merely stood there, staring. Dean's eyes closed again, the cold by now inviting. He could barely hear the howl sounding right by his side, though it was loud, loud enough to travel throughout the entire forest.
He heard her paws sink into the snow, squishing it loudly, faster, and faster as it grew more distant.
It felt like merely a minute before he heard a horrifying sound in the distance, terrifying even for Dean Winchester. The sound of a dying animal, something being dragged, right in his direction. Dean's hands fumbled for the lighter on the inside of his jacket. He desperately flicked it open, as he did his best to push himself up to lean his upper body against the tree his head had lain at the base of. He flicked the lighter on holding it away from him, to get as much light and vision back as he could.
His breathing became fast as he waved the lighter around, but it didn't do what he wanted. It illuminated the area around him, but in contrast, everything else became darker than before and impossible for him to see. "Who's there?" Dean raised his voice loud as he could, even though he felt like a chick in a horror flick.
He saw two eyes, low, and staring, coming closer. Dean tried to move further back, though only pushed himself further against the tree. His hand shook to the point the lighter fell into the snow his fingers completely numb. He bent forward, hands feeling the snowy ground for the small metal object. There was a loud thump, some snow blown into his face. He felt warmth right in front of his fingers as they froze. His eyes were slowly adjusting to the darkness, and he saw a large black mass right in front of him. "What the fu-..." Dean mumbled calming slightly. It was warm, almost hot, whatever was in front of him was like a furnace. His vision became brighter, his eyes getting used to the dark again. He was disappointed in his own relief to see Dana, right there, behind the black mass. A part of the black mass, a big one, was clearly in her mouth. It didn't take Dean long to catch on.
Dana dragged the deer closer to Dean, on top of his legs, putting pressure onto them. But the pressure was worth the warmth. "What do you- do you want me to eat it?" Dean panicked for a moment as Dana's head was beside his own, bringing the large deer closer and closer to him.
Dana snuffled loudly, and he heard the head drop right by his elbow on the ground loudly, the antlers against the ground causing it to turn its neck in a way Dean didn't want to see.
Before Dean could realise, Dana had disappeared. He cringed as he felt the blood for the animal while he shoved his hands under it, embracing the warmth, healing his numb and stiff fingers.
He understood, slowly, his brain working its way through the touch and cold of his exhaustion. He knew what happened to people that fell asleep in the snow. And Dana was buying him time, buying herself time until she found Sam. Dean just prayed it was enough time.
Dean didn't notice, he didn't realise he had fallen asleep in the cold. When he awoke he expected it to be even colder than before, but it wasn't. Everything was the same, except Dean felt warm, like he was back at the motel room. But when he opened his eyes he still saw the crowns of the trees, and the snow falling. He drifted in and out of consciousness, until he felt a tongue on his cheek, causing him to groan, and open his eyes entirely, finally. Dana was lying on top of him, keeping him warm, the deer clearly pulled aside, and away from him.
"I promise, no more chains for you, ever again, after this one." Dean's voice was hoarse and strained as he rested his hand on top of the dog's head on his chest. The wind was picking up, howling through the trees, leaves rustling high above them.
This was a good time, this was a great time to talk to her. Have a heart to heart.
"You think you're ever gonna look like a human again…?" Dean mumbled, closing his eyes again. He was immediately nudged by her snout, right on his jaw. He knew it wasn't his question, but the closing of his eyes. He looked at her, her head titled. He'd never seen an animal look worried, or distraught. But she sure was getting there.
"You ever even been human?" Dean raised his brows tiredly.
Dean's brows raised further, eyes widening when he saw the dog nod. He'd never seen her do something so human, usually her answers were barks, following their instructions.
"You prefer the fleas and the fur?" he asked quietly. It was good, talking was good, it was keeping him awake.
A small, short shake of the head. "So you wanna be human, huh?" Dean was grasping for straws, simply saying the first things he could think of. However, he did really want to know, and was being honest.
He got nothing, no yes, nor no, just a small whine, and her head resting on his chest again. This time, her snout near his neck, breathing into his jaw. It was a comforting sensation. Like they said, a dog's love was unconditional…. He liked that idea, someone, someone that wasn't family loving him no matter what.
"I gotta say, it's a lil' bit creepy to think… you're human in there." The thing was, he knew what she was, what she could be, it made it all almost normal. It killed him, however, it caused him to forever be wary around her, the fact he never saw her as a human. Never heard her say a word, hear an opinion, anything. He didn't doubt she knew that, it showed in her actions, she knew very well, right now her actions spoke louder than words.
"Didn't like your collar?" he chuckled slightly as he put his hand to her neck, holding her tightly there, in a rough though careful embrace. "You got a favorite colour, so we know what colour to get you next time…." the more he talked the better he felt, his voice getting less and less hoarse with every word.
"Are you even scared of anything...?" Dean mused. She wasn't scared of them, although the man she killed, and clearly knew was aware they were hunters. It was obvious she knew what hunters were as well. What Sam had said stuck with Dean however, the idea of her being with a happy family, children. He doubted she'd hurt them, anybody in fact, anybody good. He liked the idea, children playing with her, going jogging with the mom maybe, it seemed perfect for her. Walking the kids to school, picking them up, making sure they're safe just as she was making sure he was right now.
"Have you ever been with a family?" This time Dean wanted an answer, and he signified that when he put his hand under her jaw, lifting her head to look into her eyes.
She could barely shake her head, with his hand grasping it. It lead Dean to another thought, a suspicion. "You're new to this, aren't you?" he frowned slightly. almost pouting as he looked into her deep brown eyes, black in the darkness of the cold night.
"You're good at it at least…" he muttered letting go of her, only to rub his hand on her head again. Until her head shot up, and behind him, behind the tree. She was careful when she stood up from having lain on top of him, though she still accidentally stepped on the side of his waist and knee. He felt her tongue on his forehead going into his hair.
Barking loudly she ran away where he couldn't look. He knew Sam was close, she probably smelled him, heard him. Dean immediately felt the cold embrace him again, but he knew he wouldn't have to wait long. Though the barking growing quieter and quieter caused his stomach to drop slightly, the idea of just how far away Sam still was. Dana's absence caused a reaction, Dean doing his best to wrap his arms around himself, it wasn't a physical cold anymore. He had wordlessly accepted her help, her pity and he was fine with it. But he wanted her there, the whole time as a cost.
He had no doubt Sam would find him in time, especially if he had to run after a panicked Dana. He didn't know why he had no doubt she was frantic, running for and with Sam. Something told him she was, no matter how calm, and soothing she was in Dean's presence. He couldn't forget how smart she truly was, how human she was. Smart, but sometimes clueless, not in this case however. She knew exactly what she was doing, and Dean was aware of that. He would never have thought of a Deer as a damn blanket, to keep him alive, he would've just run, fast as he could, and he would've died because of that.
The barking returned quiet in the distance, it took all of Dean's strength to focus on it to even notice it. It got closer fast, until he only heard the panting of the dog.
He welcomed her in relief, lifting a hand to the side of her head. To his surprise she leaned into his touch, even closing her eyes. Her reactions to either of the brother's touch had been limited to the wagging of her tail and perhaps a huff.
Dean jumped as he heard a gunshot, bark of the tree falling onto him. He saw Dana trott away from him quickly, ears close to her head, tail tucked between her legs.
"Sam!" Dean yelled, his voice forceful as ever, angry.
He could've guessed the only way to lead Sam to Dean without words was by aggravating him, making him follow her, hunt her.
Sam was at Dean's feet immediately, bending to look him over.
"Tell me those ain't silver bullets, you maniac!" Dean grunted angrily, distracted by Sam long enough for Dana to disappear.
"C'mon." Sam groaned as he helped his brother to his feet. Dean's right leg was still too injured for him to walk properly, but with the help of his brother's arm, he could do his best.
His best efforts also went into looking over his shoulder, where he hoped to see the dog, staring at them leaving it behind in the snow. But there was nothing.
The idea that Sam may have actually hit her made him throw the other's arm off his shoulders. He had trouble keeping balance, but caught himself quickly.
"Sam." he looked at the younger with a warning scowl, breathing through his nose visibly.
"What? No, Dean." Sam argued, almost hurt by the assumption.
"She saved my life, Sam." Dean huffed looking back at the spot where he had lain. His outline was clear in the snow, as well as hers, inches of snow must have fallen while he'd lain there. It must have been longer than he'd thought.
"How long was I out here?" he frowned for a moment, confused.
"I don't know… four hours, maybe?" Sam was equally confused by the question, the answer seeming obvious to him.
"I swear I'm not leaving without her." Dean protested, thankfully he was unable to stomp either of his feet, he didn't want to look even more like a child. His nose was red, and he felt his ears numb in the cold, nose running.
"Let's get you inside first. We can go look for her tomorrow." Sam protested gently, reaching out to grab Dean's arm.
Dean planned on protesting, but as his mind was coming back to him, he knew it was the best option.
"And maybe- who knows, she'll follow us." Sam brought Dean's arm around his shoulders, and help him walk once more.
The walk back outside the forest, onto the road was long, and partially steep. A struggle to say the least. The purr of the engine comforted Dean, nearly as much as Dana had. Despite the lack of sentient care for him, Dean embraced the warmth, the smell of the car, the lights passing them slowly on the road to the motel.
The snow in Dean's hair melted quickly, and in the warmth of the car he shook even more than he had in the cold. "Don't fall asleep, alright?" Sam muttered, looking at Dean for a mere second before his eyes were back on the road.
Dean nodded, leaning against the car door, vibrations of the car lessening his own.